A modeler named mike

Funny.. ricocheting of the armor was my fist thought when Carl mentioned his irk. Than again I know nothing about armadillos since I live in Maryland.

I too use humour to make light of it all and keep myself sane. I'm surprised at how many others have had this end of life experience with loved ones. Just know that you are normal in being relieved that your gran passed. I too look forward to the day my dad will be reunited with mom and so does he. Although dad is not in the last stages of life just yet it is somewhat of a struggle to watch nature taking its course. As for his glasses he actually sees better without them. I think he may have been confused when the eye doctor asked him questions during the eye exam. Unfortunately I wasn't the family member who oversaw that appointment.

Thank you Tom.. I feel it's a privilege to care for the man who not only raised me but also fought for our country during WW2 throughout Europe and at the battle of the bulge, which he and I joke that he's still fighting that fight but now it's at different location, his belly. Dad is also a retired correction officer, talk about tough love..but that help keep on a straight and narrow path ?°° somewhat..lol we all do stupid things when we're young and dumb. He is also the longest living member of past family members. He always said he'd live to be 100. I'm doing my best to make that come true. What a mile stone that would be! He also had prostate cancer back in the 80's and beat that with no relapses. Unfortunately he opted to have everything thing removed which lead to him being incontinent ?. We wish you and your family and all here on this ? awesome ?(for Bill, Ace-garageguy- lol) forum a very Merry and safe Holiday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa!

I truly appreciate any and all input and tips. Its definitely a learning experience. I don't currently have a bed alarm yet but it's on my list of items to inquire about from the Hospice group today. "Jokingly" I thought to myself maybe bubble wrap on the floor at the area where he would step out of bed. The different color on the steps is a very good idea, fortunately we live in a rancher. We do have a basement but that door is locked and he can not open the door, I switched the door knob around so the lock mechanism is on the basement side. I've only been caring for dad since last mid October, up anywhere from 2 to 4 times a night. My best sleep was the 6 days he was in the Hospital. Even though I was up late and rise and shine early the sleep was uninterrupted.

This irk I have no one to blame except for myself. I'll just say potty chairs have a bucket with a lid. Make sure that lid is off the bucket when setting it up for someone to use. Nothing like having a wet hand and having to clean the carpet at 4am.. ?

Shooting from the hip makes you a fortified gun slinger. If that varmint knows what's best he'd be rolling on out if there.. This delivery service is in house. The same fellow showed up today unscheduled and no call before hand to deliver an nebulizer and some Rx that was ordered by hospice. Technically he's still the weakest link.

Shooting from the hip makes you a fortified gun slinger. If that varmint knows what's best he'd be rolling on out if there..

Bed delivered on time? ?.. The guy showed up 3 hours later after telling me he was not far and on his way. I kept my cool and bit my tongue. I've had enough BS stress and I didn't need to amp it up anymore. He's home now and that's all that matters to me.

Finally got to bring my dad back home after a 6 day stay at the hospital. They were not able to determine the cause of bleeding but it did stop on its own. Never found his missing toiletries and the experience dealing with the hospital bed delivery guy and his incompetency all washed away as dad and I drove away and headed towards home. Pure pleasure having him home again!

Hear ya loud and clear. I usually turn my phone ringer and notifications down at bedtime or nap time but since I'm currently dealing with dad and his hospital stay I need to leave on full blast. Between eBay and the forums I follow the interruptions are rampant. Although I usually don't get to sleep straight through the nights anyway. This week even with the late hours I've been keeping I'm dead to the world when my head hits that pillow. I hope you get some rest soon. Sleep is very important for us useless old farts.. ?

Thank you Carl.. I also have you in my prayers buddy. So many people can not see the potential that individuals with autism or metal retaliation have. Congratulations to your son for his accomplishments and I'm sure you had one of the biggest smiles that any loving Dad could have ever experienced. As we have our loved ones who have passed in our thoughts remembering the good times with the bad, just know that someday we will all he together again.. Now I'm in no hurry but I do cherish the thought of the that glorious reunion. You will be rewarded for you selfless acts of kindness and unwavering dedication to your family. You Carl are a Good man!

Thank you Carl.. I have you in my prayers as well buddy.

He's ready and so an i for his homecoming. Funny thing is the trying times that I'm currently experiencing is not from him but from professionals who are caring for or businesses who provide a service. Hospital bed was to be delivered today. Installer was instructed to call before coming due to me not being at the location. What did he do? Came to the house, no one answered. Called and no one answered. He left the house and went on his merry way. As the day went on and I "hadn't" received any call I made contact with the Hospice liaison who had authorized and set up the delivery. She gave me the number to the facility who was to deliver it. Ends up the guy apparently called me and I didn't receive the call due to a dead spot in the Hospital. I asked him was he still coming and when? He stated his work day was over but he was scheduled for tomorrow first thing! ?.. So I asked.. What time are we talking so I can make arrangements. He said he gets in at 11:00 and the company is not far so around 11:30. ?°° gee dad gets discharged early afternoon plus I was always under the impression first thing meant early in the day.. Silly me.. Crazy how a low level installer can with no authority can rearrange everyone's schedule..?#×@*!

I'm steering towards incompetency. But hey who am I to judge, I'm a useless old fart who still plays with little plastic cars...?

Thanks Rob. Even though we're talking about $20.00 worth of items and they're replaceable it still irks the bejesus out of me.

Today's irk is finding that dads personal toiletries that I bought for him to use while he is hospitalized are now missing since they moved him from one room to another. He says that someone threw them out because they said he didn't need them. I asked the nurses who are caring for him about the whereabouts but no one seems to know..? I'm hoping its a mix up and they are sitting somewhere. If not..? it's time to to do a little venting.. Boy I could use someone to take all this stress out on.. ? BTW dad will be coming home tomorrow (sat). I was up last night till 2:30am breaking down the antique bed and cleaning my moms old room to be ready for the in-home hospice bed coming today. The bedroom move is so dad will be closer to the main bathroom and kitchen instead of way down the hall farthest away. At least the bleeding has stopped. Still don't know the cause and probably never will due to his aorta slowly closing up. Better days ahead? I hope but I have my reservations. I'm just glad he'll be at home for Christmas.

Some model railroad clubs will have a layout that is made up of sections that interlock making a large layout that is moveable and can be setup at different locations for shows or events such as a Christmas display at a mall or elsewhere. Its a neat way for all the club members to take part in building their layout. When I was a younger fellow I also had the infamous 4×8 layout that lead to a J-shaped layout with about 300 feet of nickel silver track and turnouts, multiple level tracks with a two main routes and two other separate lines that were dedicated to mining operations . I had some store bought kit buildings and some that I had scratch built. Unfortunately I never was able to finish the layout due to a new hobby that took precedence, GIRLS! I attached a few of the remaining things I still have that I had scratch built that are not boxed up. Sorry for the poor picture quality..?

From over the last week or so.. All open all complete. The BZ-38 was an inspired buy when I saw Pat W's nifty Miniart Liefer pritschenwagen typ 170V farmers car kit. The BZ-38 is highly detailed, has photo etching and a very detailed instruction booklet...? for a 1/32 kit the box is huge.

Thank you Bob.. Improvement would be more than welcome but being realistic I don't believe my dad will make it through this. So many things are not in his favor this hospital trip..

Thanks Greg... It's the worst rollercoaster ride I've ever dealt with, but I'm in for the long haul, No matter what it takes.

This morning I had a ray of hope because dads bleeding had stopped over night. Those tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy! Physical therapy showed up late afternoon and took him for a walk. I questioned them about it being to soon for therapy but they replied Nope. Hey they are the professionals, right? I took that time to go to the cafeteria to grab a drink, that's when I heard "Code Blue room 414" on the overhead page. I've never ran so fast in my life. When I got to him he was coherent but very weak. Soon afterwards the bleeding had begun again..? back to square one.

Having to dealing with a situation that even our well trained doctors and specialist at the hospital can not seem to be able to solve. My dads age and the fact that his aorta valve has calcium buildup on its flaps edges causing the valve opening to be restricted which makes any invasive procedures needed to find the source the bleeding in the lower GI such as a colonoscopy a no go! It could cause congenital heart failure. All non-invasive testing tried didn't tell them a thing on the actual cause. I was told we are at a wait and see what happens mode. I was told that it could stop bleeding on its own eventually, "if" its a internal hemorrhoid. ? yeah maybe it will stop because he's done bled out.. Not good by any means..

My thoughts too. Dad is 98 and pretty healthy other than the incontinence and dementia. Thanks Bill..

Working off of 3 hours sleep from last night's trip to the ER with my dad by ambulance. Sat by dads gurney in the busy ER hallway by the ambulance bay entrance from 11:30pm till 3:30am till an ER stall became available. Back at the hospital @ 8am when visiting hours open to find he is still in the ER waiting to be admitted to a private room upstairs. Let the bills begin! Crazy thing is dad was supposed to have his first Dr. visit tomorrow with his new Dr. because his old doc is owned by LifeBridge and no longer accepts his Cigna insurance. Hope the new Dr. doesn't charge us for a less then 24 hour cancellation charge. If he does charge for it that will be a definite irk!

I hope got "some" relief today Carl.. ?